How Are Migraines and Concussions Similar?

You might be hearing a lot lately about concussions in the news or while watching sports. It seems to be that the majority of people believe concussions to be a temporary injury that heals up rather quickly. They are quite common among those that play recreational and professional sports. Almost 4 million people are affected by concussions in the United States. Did you know that migraine headaches, which closely resemble concussions in symptoms, are the most prominent neurological condition in the USA?

These conditions both present challenges to those in the medical field when it comes to treatment. They are quite similar in nature and presentation. Concussions, also known as traumatic brain injuries, happen when the brain moves inside the skull, generally brought on by an injury to the head. With migraine headaches, it is not so easy to pinpoint the exact cause. They share similar symptoms such as extreme tiredness, upset stomach, sensitivity to sound and light, and can last for several hours or days.

In some cases, it may be quite difficult to know if it is a migraine or a concussion that a person is dealing with. Therefore, it is hard to know what to do about it. A new treatment being looked into is a type of surgery. Compression of nerves in the head can cause migraines. This new surgery removes pressure from the nerves. It has shown some promise and has changed the life of a man in Massachusetts who opted to try it. But what if you can try something that is much less invasive and has no side-effects?

Upper cervical chiropractors have had success in treating those with concussions and migraines. Dr. Kerry Johnson of Apple Valley, Minnesota is an upper cervical chiropractor who specializes in examining the topmost vertebrae in the neck, called the Atlas bone or the C1. This bone has been shown in research to affect the way the nervous system and brain function.

If the Atlas is misaligned, it can hinder the blood flow, oxygen, and nerve function within the brain and the spinal cord leading to the brain. When this misalignment is corrected by a trained upper cervical chiropractor, the proper function can be restored, and healing can begin. This will result in migraines and concussions causing fewer issues and more-than-likely complete resolution. Why not contact Dr. Johnson for an assessment and take the first step to being pain-free!